I even got the coveted VA Ambassador Stamp last October. As it happens although our original plan was to fly to Ocracoke Island and First Flight airport, we had to change our plans due to my school schedule.

Instead, we ended up flying to Tangier again on an impromptu flight with the flight out group (FOG) on Sunday. Five aircraft with 14 people ended up at Tangier for lunch at Lorraine’s this holiday weekend. There was much camaraderie, hanger flying, and excellent flying, since the weather was perfect, and the airspace clear.

Tangier on the other hand is still doing none the better since obviously, whatever anyone says and does, it will disappear one day. We might be okay callingit fake news, ignore climate change and science, and live in a world of alternate facts.

After a fun evening and morning spent with family and friends, my copilot and I reconvened a little before noon at Republic Airport for the return trip back to the Mid Atlantic. Aircraft fueled and preflighted, we set off north this time. The plan was to circumvent the busy NY airspace around JFK and LGA airports from the northeast and fly down the Hudson River from the north heading south before flying back home.

The airwaves were quieter on Easter Sunday and the air smooth as we made our way south. There was not a cloud in sight but sadly haze still clung around the area preventing crisp, crystal clear photographs and videos. We flew southbound reporting all the check points along the way: Alpine Tower, GWB, Intrepid, Clock and Statue of Liberty. We descended lower to 800 ft as we practiced our turns about the point over the Statue of Liberty.

Tracing the eastern New Jersey shore past Long Beach Island, Atlantic City, Ocean City and Sea Isle City we landed at Cape May, the southern tip of New Jersey a little after 2:00 pm. Cape May Airport (KWWD) is a general aviation airport with 2 major runways.

Once a Naval Air Station, it is currently a civilian airport and houses the Aviation Museum in Hanger 1. The Flight Deck Diner is located in the main terminal building and open daily from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. Unfortunately, we had forgotten to check the operating hours of the restaurant, after feeding the aircraft at the self serve fuel station, my copilot and I headed home, sans any veg(ham) burger. If you did get one at Cape May, drop me a line 🙂

“The year 2000 marked not just a new decade but also a new century. The previous century saw the birth of powered, heavier-than-air flight and the amazing development of this world-changing technology. The 20th Century also saw the horrors of two world wars, the Great Depression, the tension of a cold war, the Civil Rights movement, the space race, the spread of democracy, the rise of the internet, and significant advancement for women.

It is unlikely the first decade of the 21st Century will be considered any type of Golden Age. September 11th, 2001 — more simply known as “9/11″ — was a day of tragedy, keenly felt by all of us for whom flying is an integral part of our lives”

Quoted from the April 2017 Aviatrix Aerogram

Flying was lighthearted, fun and innocent until 9/11. That changed everything. Not immediately, but in the months and years following that tragic event. Living in California the impact was not as strong, but still prevalent. I am more cautious of what I say and how I behave in the wake of 9/11.

Although I flew three or four times back in 1998, my first official flying lesson was in August 2000 and I got my private pilot certificate in May 2001, and Instrument rating in May 2004. Although I started my first round of Commercial flight training in fall 2006, I am yet to complete it.

I had a terrific support group with members from my local 99s chapter (SLO99s). Several of us learnt to fly at the same time. We did cross-country flights together, interacted with controllers and other pilots to organize events: we sponsored discovery flights, mentored high school girls, supported airport day events such as Tower Tours, organized safety seminars, and sponsored scholarships.

Fun Flyouts from the 2000s

Flew the legendary Palms to Pines Air race from Santa Monica, California, to Bend, Oregon, and back. What a fantastic trip!

Republic airport is located in Farmingdale, Long Island. Nestled between the bustling Class Bravo Airspace surrounding the New York John F. Kennedy airport to the west and the Class Charlie airspace surrounding Islip, Long Island MacArthur Airport to the west, it is a busy general aviation airport, a stone’s throw away from the Big Apple.

After a leisurely lunch at Montauk Point, my copilot and I walked the short distance back to the airport and departed for the short hop to Republic airport where we planned to overnight. The skies had cleared and the sun was shining brightly as we retraced our path, following the South shore over the rich and ostentatious Hamptons, home of the rich and elite.

The air was smooth along the shore, but as we tuned to Republic airport, we could hear pilot reports (PIREP) of moderate turbulence and chop. The airspace was busy with valiant student pilots conducting landing practice and others arriving and departing the area. Other than some slight excitement during landing, the flight was uneventful.

There are three FBOs on the field and all had good reviews, but based on fuel prices we opted for Talon Air. The airport has a landing fee of $20 and tie down fee is waived if 15 gallons of fuel is purchased. We left the aircraft parked at Talon for the night and head out to hang out with family and friends.

There is no restaurant on the field. But transportation arrangements can be made with the FBO. There is an Air power museum on the field.

Sometime during the winter term, I realized, I really needed to have a golden goose at the end of the tunnel, if I were to keep my sanity and survive the semester. Gert and I had talked about flying the Hudson River corridor again some time. “Let’s fly to Montauk Point as well,” he had said. And I was hooked. I have fond memories of driving here eons ago with my sister and even making the trip a couple of years ago when I visited my friend who had relocated to Long Island City from the West Coast.

This was the golden goose I needed!

Although rallying other pilots to join us failed, my copilot Gert and I set off, bright and early, with an ambitious plan to fly the Hudson river corridor and land at Montauk for lunch. It was one of those rare days when my plans were unfolding flawlessly.

Right on cue, a few minutes past 8:00 am we pointed our nose East flying through the WHINO gate, before turning north-east and flying contentedly at 2,000 ft skirting airspace and making it on time to our first pit stop of the trip.

Arriving at Monmouth Executive (KBLM) by 10:30, we refueled, stretched our legs and were off again by 11:00 am heading towards APPLE intersection and the mouth of the Hudson river. There was some haze and scattered to broken clouds above 7,000 ft. A new addition to the special flight rules area over the Hudson River is the perpetual temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) over Trump Towers from surface to 3,000 ft.

In comfort we headed northbound up to GW bridge and headed back southbound to circle the Statue of Liberty. Other than some helicopters flying scenic flights, it was perfect day to enjoy the New York skyline. After three loops, we headed back to APPLE and circumvented the JFK Class Bravo airspace and headed east tracing the Long Island coastline seeking an occasional clearance from Class Delta airports along our way and in good time landed at Montauk Point by 1:30 pm.

Although we had planned to grab some lunch at Rick’s Crabby Cowboy Cafe, we took the advice of the Airport personnel to visit the Inlet Seafood instead. Located just a half mile away and sitting at the tip of the inlet, it provides some fantastic views and both outdoor and indoor seating, and some excellent seafood alternatives. If you are vegetarian like me try the Cucumber Avacado Sushi and stay clear of the Beetroot and Fresh Greens Salad!

All photographs courtesy of Gert. Heading north from the South, right seat is the best spot for photographs!